About the Bands

The Westerville Community Bands is a non-profit organization located in Westerville, Ohio
comprised of more than 80 individuals from all walks of life that share a common love of
music. We're teachers, nurses, programmers, music-educators, bankers, engineers, small business
owners, recruiters, IT professionals, and stay-at-home moms and dads. Some of us are still in
college while others retired many years ago.

Unlike many community bands the Westerville Community Bands give performances throughout
the year. Our four main concerts, Fall, Holiday, Children's and Spring Concert, are usually held
in the Westerville Central High School Auditorium. Most of our summer concerts are given
at the Alumn Creek Amphitheater.

The mission of the Westerville Community Bands is to:

Provide the opportunity for dedicated area musicians to continue their involvement in music.

Support fine arts projects that are beneficial to the cultural growth of the community.

Our Directors

Larry Klabunde

Music Director/Conductor

Larry Klabunde graduated magna cum laude from the Wheaton College Conservatory of
Music in 1979 and earned his Masters in Music Education with an emphasis in instrumental
conducting from The Ohio State University in 1985. He studied conducting with H. Robert
Reynolds, Elizabeth Green, Craig Kirchhoff, Stanley E. DeRusha, Timothy Swinehart, and
Carl St. Clair.

Since 1980, he has conducted bands, choirs, orchestras, as well as having
taught general music and AP music theory in various schools.

Since 1988, Larry has taught music in the Worthington Schools. He founded the Thomas
Worthington High School Wind Ensemble to perform Class AA literature,
and that ensemble earned consecutive OMEA District and State Superior ratings under his
leadership. He conducted the TWHS Wind Ensemble at two OMEA State Conferences,
and led the band to a Superior rating at the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational.

Larry is the proud father of Joshua, Jonathan, and Hannah.

Victoria Straub

Assistant Director

Victoria Straub attended The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor of
Music Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education. She also holds a Master of Education
from Marygrove College.

Victoria began her teaching career in the Marion City School District where she
was the Edison Middle School Band Director. She also taught elementary band and was the
Harding High School Assistant Band Director. In 2005, Victoria became the Director of
Bands at Olentangy Shanahan Middle School.

Victoria and her husband, David, are the proud parents of two young boys Lucas
and Owen. Currently Victoria is a stay at home mom.